Wildfires continue ravaging Los Angeles County, with five major blazes burning. The wildfires have claimed at least 5 lives, while nearly 1,900 structures have been destroyed and over 130,000 residents are under evacuation orders. Pasadena has issued a water safety alert due to contamination, while criticism has mounted against officials after fire hydrants started to run out of water.
Thursday, Jan. 9, is a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, with his final day of funeral rites taking place. Washington National Cathedral will hold Carter’s public funeral before his remains are flown to Georgia to be buried. The New York Stock Exchange, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Supreme Court will all remain closed in Carter’s honor.
President-elect Donald Trump is back on Capitol Hill for the first time in four years. He paid his respects to former President Carter before meeting with Senate Republicans. Trump said after the meeting there was great unity in the Senate, and that he was confident his agenda would go through smoothly—even if it meant splitting it up into multiple bills.
